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New marine zone plans scrapped by minister New marine zone plans scrapped by minister
(about 2 hours later)
Controversial plans for 10 marine conservation zones have been withdrawn by a Welsh government minister.Controversial plans for 10 marine conservation zones have been withdrawn by a Welsh government minister.
Alun Davies told AMs that they had received 7,000 responses to a consultation containing "strongly held" views. Alun Davies told AMs they had received 7,000 responses to a consultation containing "strongly held" views.
He said he would now look at the 125 existing marine protected areas to see if further improvements could be made.He said he would now look at the 125 existing marine protected areas to see if further improvements could be made.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) described it as an "embarrassing U-turn" for the Welsh government, and has called for better protection of seas.
Creating the zones would mean a ban on fishing and anchoring in some areas and had brought opposition.Creating the zones would mean a ban on fishing and anchoring in some areas and had brought opposition.
The Welsh Fishermen's Association said previously that existing conservation networks for Welsh waters are adequate.The Welsh Fishermen's Association said previously that existing conservation networks for Welsh waters are adequate.
'Strongly held views''Strongly held views'
The Welsh government proposed the zones last year with the backing of the Countryside Council of Wales and the Marine Conservation Society.The Welsh government proposed the zones last year with the backing of the Countryside Council of Wales and the Marine Conservation Society.
The minister for natural resources said the decision had been made after the thousands of responses to the consultation brought "divergent and strongly held views".The minister for natural resources said the decision had been made after the thousands of responses to the consultation brought "divergent and strongly held views".
Mr Davies said to "avoid any continuing uncertainty over the options presented in the 2012 consultation, I am also withdrawing all the proposed sites".Mr Davies said to "avoid any continuing uncertainty over the options presented in the 2012 consultation, I am also withdrawing all the proposed sites".
His comments come after the findings were published of a task and finish team which reviewed the feedback.His comments come after the findings were published of a task and finish team which reviewed the feedback.
Now, he will concentrate on the existing 125 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that cover 36% of Welsh seas to see if any changes can be made rather than creating additional zones.Now, he will concentrate on the existing 125 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that cover 36% of Welsh seas to see if any changes can be made rather than creating additional zones.
"We are now in a stronger position to assess our current contribution to the network's ecological coherence," he said."We are now in a stronger position to assess our current contribution to the network's ecological coherence," he said.
"I have, therefore, commissioned an assessment of our current MPAs to identify if there are any gaps and what the options might be to fill those gaps."I have, therefore, commissioned an assessment of our current MPAs to identify if there are any gaps and what the options might be to fill those gaps.
"If any measures are required, I believe they should be simple, proportionate and fit for purpose.""If any measures are required, I believe they should be simple, proportionate and fit for purpose."
Dr Peter Richardson, biodiversity programme manager for MCS, said the Welsh government's change of heart had been "embarrassing".
He said 70% of the consultation responses were in favour of the sites, and he hoped the concerns of some stakeholders would still be taken on board to "actually work towards better protection" of our seas.